FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PMMA

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PMMA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PMMABulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Compressive strength	not sourced	110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical	115MPasourcetypical29% stronger in bending
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical1.67x more ductile	5.5%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical	3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	1,190kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg	67.2kN·m/kg1.5x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg	2.77MN·m/kg38% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.37sourcetypical
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	1.2GPa39% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	4.23GPa
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	1,665m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth8% less	350µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.109mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m2% more resistant	41.5W/m
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature
Values for	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.	Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic PMMA?

Plastic PMMA is stronger: its tensile strength is 80 MPa against yield strength 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (1.5x).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PMMA?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for Plastic PMMA.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PMMA?

Plastic PMMA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.3 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic PMMA deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PMMA?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PMMA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic PMMA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	38% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	17% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	11% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	1.5x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	31% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	23% heavier	lighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which is more ductile, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PMMA?

FDM Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 9.2% elongation at break against 5.5% for Plastic PMMA.

Which conducts heat better, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PMMA?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density